Six Years of War is Too Long

Veterans For Peace marked the 6th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq with a call for the Obama Administration to end the war now, not years from now.

Veterans For Peace objects to President Obama's plan to keep troops in Iraq until 2011. “Beside the suffering and death caused by prolonging these wars, America simply can no longer afford the cost of empire,” commented Mike Ferner, the group’s National President. A long time critic of the invasion and occupation of Iraq, VFP calls for President Obama to bring all the troops home now. The organization’s consistent position has been that the presence of U.S. soldiers only ensures there will be violent resistance from Iraqis. The Administration’s plans to leave 50,000 “non-combat” troops in Iraq will not ensure less violence; it will guarantee the deaths of more U.S. troops and Iraqis at the hands of U.S. service members.

March 19-21, to mark the end of the 6th year of the occupation, Veterans For Peace members will participate in various events across the U.S. including the March on the Pentagon scheduled for Saturday. They are also urging their members to write and call Congress and the Obama Administration to register their dissatisfaction with the President’s timetable.

Ferner went on to say, “Barack Obama became president in part because millions of voters were sick of these wars and wanted them stopped, period. The People of Iraq can handle their affairs. They have proven that over thousands of years. It is time for U.S. to pull out all troops.” Violence in Iraq has lessened and sectarian divisions appear to be coming together, but military and Administration officials remain cautious that violence could escalate at anytime.

“U.S. policy claims to keep troops in Iraq to ensure stability,” continued Ferner. “With violence down, the President is taking over 2-1/2 years to leave. If violence rises, will plans change to stay? Either way, U.S. policy keeps troops in Iraq. This is not the sentiment of the majority of people in the U.S. or Iraq. We want all the troops to come home now!” Ferner concluded.

Open Letter to President Obama

Dear President Obama:

Recently, Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont convened a "Truth Commission" to investigate the CRIMES committed by the Bush Administration during the last eight years. As president of the Alan Reilly-Gene Glazer Chapter 021, New Jersey, I strongly urge you to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate those crimes and take appropriate action in order to bring the guilty individuals to justice. We believe that members of that administration have committed numerous crimes, subverted the U.S. Constitution and have soiled the reputation of this country in ways which will last for generations. Therefore, a "truth commission" is totally inadequate and there must be prosecutions in order to preserve our democracy.

Peace and Solidarity,

Kenneth A. Dalton, President
Alan Reilly-Gene Glazer Chapter 021
Veterans For Peace, New Jersey
Life Member, Vietnam Veterans Against the War